Best Grid Layout for Cities..

[Ace_F15 16]

Im curious, what do you guys think the best layout for cities is? I usually do normal block grids but you have to admit they are pretty boring. I see alot of cj'ers use complex road layouts and im curious how they do that and what's the best way to do a layout such as that.

[PolytAffe 0]

try looking around. there are tons of threads like this already.

[_MostlyHarmless 17]

Wrong section for this. Try searching, there have been 100's of topics like this.

[ptlthomasw 0]

i dont know whats worse, people who havn't looked for an existing topic or the brainless drones who splay "search! search!" instead of being helpful.

[masochist 111]

Originally posted by: ptlthomasw i dont know whats worse, people who havn't looked for an existing topic or the brainless drones who splay "search! search!" instead of being helpful.quote>

Um......you do realize that you didn't...your post doesn't really...ahh, forget it.

Anyways, to help answer your question, Ace_F15, I'm going to repeat something I posted a couple of days ago: for efficiency, the grid works best.  For aesthetic value, the grid doesn't work so well.  If you're trying to go for a look that's pleasing to the eye, then there isn't a specific layout that works best (because different people like different things).  If you're trying to cram as many people into as small a space as possible, stick with the grid because diagonals and such might disrupt things. 

The best thing I can do for you, though, is point you in the direction of some threads that might help you see what I mean.  So check out these threads:

Show us your Anti-grid!

Thinking Outside the Grid

Suggestions on possible grid layout for my city.

Some of these threads are old, but relevant.  Also...search for topics on suburbs, because they usually have pictures that constantly break the grid, and they have tips that can help you.

[PolytAffe 0]

Originally posted by: ptlthomasw i dont know whats worse, people who havn't looked for an existing topic or the brainless drones who splay "search! search!" instead of being helpful.quote>

How is telling him to search not helpful? He obviously didn't know there was tons of topics on this already. Go troll somewhere else

[Cleaner475 150]

stop with the mindless yap - he should search but he clearly didn't know a search exsisted or it didn't come into his head sometimes you guys on here can be so cowardly can't you juust help the guy - I'll porbably up load some pics of my road layouts here soon so you can look at them Ace.

[flame1396 9]

6 x 4...

vary it if there is a spot you want to ahve a certain building... I use grids and can make them look pretty good.

[Soup 0]

This might be a tired topic around here but it's been on my mind a lot lately so I'm gonna have at it. Grids can actually be quite pleasing as long as you build them with some Old World ideas in mind. Really, the key to nice grids is to break them up. Work in chunks and don't rely on a fixed size. Imagine having several city planners throughout the years that each have there own vision and perfect grid layout. This way your grid has a little diversity. Change your ideas of what a perfect grid is and experiment. Even failed ideas will add some character to your city. Instead of bulldozing them or starting over, try incorporating them as a real city would. Another good way to break up a grid is to make a bunch of small communities (residential and/or industrial) and scatter them about them map. Then link them all up with roads that go directly to each community (ignore the grid!). As each community grows, they'll bump into each other, forcing grids to adapt and co-exist. And for the perfect Old World touch, create a city center then link up all your communities in a way that "all roads lead to Rome." Then adapt your grids to these direct routes, even making your grids diagonal if need be. And the easiest way to mix up your grids is to simply use interesting terrain and rather than overpower it, try to build around it.

[rodent1989 9]

out of the millions of topics regarding grid discussion that ^^^ has to be the best response ever.

[flame1396 9]

Soup, that answer rocks! Its exactly what I tried to say...

and describes how I build...

[_MostlyHarmless 17]

Good info. But the reason I said search is not only because there are more topics like this out there, there are already more replies and more questions answered in those other topics. Yes you have to read, and dig a bit, big deal. But the stuff you find not only answers your question, it may give you more ideas or enlighten you more. for example, with a search you may not only find a good grid system, you may find pictures and diagrams to go along with it. Not only that, the topic may lead into traffic issues or anything else.

For those of you criticizing my (and other's) request to search, you are not being helpful either, so why bother?

EDIT:  ptlthomasw     lol, you have been here since 2004, have only 2 posts?  One of which is the one above?  

[Melkor 0]

I've been experimenting with different grid configurations as well, used to just use 3x3 blocks of 3x3 (grid within a grid sorta thing) for each "neighborhood". The traffic gets horrendous with that many intersections though so I've been working with larger block sizes. I have to agree that as far as aesthetics goes, it's all in the eye of the beholder. (I'll search for more info though)

[penguin007 27]

What I use is 

r=residental 

p= park

s=bus stop or subway

RRRRRRRR

SPPPPPPSS

RRRRRRRR

It means theres houisng a bit of park and mass transit in a block

With comercial it stays the same except the park can be plaza